29c. When to use a or an

29cUse a (or an) with common singular count nouns that refer to “one” or “any.”

If a count noun refers to one unspecific item (not a whole category), use the indefinite article, a or an. A and an usually mean “one among many” but can also mean “any one.” (See the chart on this page.)

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The noun dictionary refers to “one unspecific dictionary” or “any dictionary.”

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The noun apartment refers to “any apartment close to the lake,” not a specific apartment.

Choosing articles for common nouns

Use the

  • if the reader has enough information to identify the noun specifically
count: Please turn on the lights. We’re going to the zoo tomorrow.
noncount: The food throughout Italy is excellent.

Use a or an

  • if the noun refers to one item and if the item is singular but not specific
count: Bring a pencil to class. Charles wrote an essay about his first job.

note: Do not use a or an with plural or noncount nouns.

Use a quantifier (enough, many, some, etc.)

  • if the noun represents an unspecified amount of something
count (plural): Amir showed us some photos of India. Many turtles return to the same nesting site each year.
  • if the amount is more than one but not all items in a category
noncount: We didn’t get enough rain this summer.

note: Sometimes no article conveys an unspecified amount: Amir showed us photos of India.

Use no article

  • if the noun represents all items in a category
count (plural): Students can attend the show for free.
  • if the noun represents a category in general
noncount: Coal is a natural resource.

note: The is occasionally used when a singular count noun refers to all items in a class or a specific category: The bald eagle is no longer endangered in the United States.